I am planning on making my first board purchase within the next month or so. I've been boarding for about 5 years now, always rented so I have never really looked at the different shape and concave types until this past season.

I borrowed by buddies 156 Burton Custom V rocker (don't think it was a flying V). I really liked it and it is time to purchase something similar my own. The 156 may have been a smidge small for me weight.

My problem is, I don't really know the brands very well. I am from Florida and usually get to ride for a few days in NH, and take a trip out west for a couple of days. This upcoming february/march I am going to do a 10 day trip out west (probably PC, Canyons, Snowbird again). I want a board that I'm not going to have to adapt to. Ultimately I know its' the rider and not the board, but I want to enjoy it right off the bat. I will add that I may be spending some time on the ice coast this year (TN, and NH). So if i need to get a used board for those trips...I can do that too.

I hover right around the 185 lbs mark, sometimes break 190 depending on my workout and diet. I don't ride much park, maybe a couple of rails and small kickers in a beginner park. On the mountain I can do butters, ride a little switch, 180's, 360's off side jumps. I would consider myself an intermediate rider. I do love riding powder, although I don't think I need strictly a powder board.

I want some recommendation on an all mountain board, rocker or some type of hybrid, probably a twin directional and I do like some flex as well. The only two i've really researched is the Burton Flying V, and the Never Summer SL. I like a surfy/skaty feel rather than a locked in. I think I have my size dialed in right at a 158.

For that skatey feel you're talking about, I'd definitely recommend something with rocker between the bindings. The Never Summer stuff definitely fits that bill, but a lot of other manufacturers make boards with a similar profile. I'd look at something 156-158. I'm around your same size and I have boards ranging from 157-164, but the 164 is a pow stick. For all mountain stuff, something in or around the 158 range seems to be the sweet spot for me. I've ridden my 157 as high as 205# and never had any issues with it, even in powder up to 10-12".

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Some other great choices not mentioned are
Salomon Snowboards Man's Board
NS Proto
Lib Tech makes several boards you would like
Rome Artifact
Captia BSOD (directional)
Yes PYL (directional)
NS Cobra (directional)
if you want a stiff directional look at the NS Raptor

Some other great choices not mentioned are
Salomon Snowboards Man's Board
NS Proto
Lib Tech makes several boards you would like
Rome Artifact
Captia BSOD (directional)
Yes PYL (directional)
NS Cobra (directional)
if you want a stiff directional look at the NS Raptor

Thanks for all the recommendations guys.

Is there any brand that is higher quality than another? More R&D...designed by riders...stuff like that?

I usually go with the "you get what you pay for" rule and money isn't much of a factor for me here.

its more to do with the model of the board rather than the company. sure there are some companies that produce higher end boards but they may also produce a lot of shit boards. its hard to generalize a company like that and i dont understand why people do it. for the most part if u stick with the more renowned manufacturers u cant go wrong.